Ryan Lauds a $1.50/Week Pay Hike, Quickly Regrets It

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan joined at left by Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., answers questions at a news conference in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

(Newser)
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House Speaker Paul Ryan used Twitter to highlight a school secretary benefiting from the Republican tax overhaul, then deleted the tweet after online criticism that he is cheering an increase of $1.50 a week. The AP reported on Thursday that changes in tax withholding were sparking bigger paychecks, citing as one example Julia Ketchum of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, whose check went up $1.50 a week. She told the AP that the $78 a year would more than cover her Costco membership.

Ryan on Saturday posted a Tweet noting the secretary's increase and linking to the AP story—which was quickly met with mockery, notes the Washington Post, particularly among those comparing the size of Ketchum's windfall with that the nation's wealthy. Typical was Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who tweeted that, "Meanwhile the wealthiest 0.1% of Americans receive an extra ~ $3,000 per week," while a Post reporter notes that Ketchum's $78 a year is less than Ryan makes in an hour as speaker. Ryan has posted several other examples of worker pay increases and bonuses since the overhaul, some as much as $1,000. Ryan's spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

So those that pay little in income taxes won't see much increase in take home pay ? Wow, no kidding.

Truesoy

Feb 4, 2018 10:16 PM CST

That is what Paul Ryan thinks of the working stiff not lucky enough to have a position from which to peddle influence for a price. Our Congress, one elected by the people but bought and paid for by Specia l Interests. Nice!. Sincerely, Truesoy

ChesterRush

Feb 4, 2018 9:13 PM CST

The EBTers should be happy. That’s a free ($1.50) 40 OZ of malt liquor every week.